Ralph Andy Archuleta
October 3, 1925 – April 23, 2020
On April 23, 2020, Ralph Andy Archuleta, slipped away peacefully to his Eternal Home from his home in Fruita, Colorado. He was under the care of his loving children and devoted HopeWest personnel. At age 94, he was blessed to not be under the care of a physician for over 30 years.
Ralph was born in Gardner, Colorado. He was soon adopted by his aunt Victoriana and uncle Rafael Archuleta who raised him in Center, Colorado. After 8th grade graduation, Ralph worked with his dad in the sheep shearing business. He was also a laborer in the Center farming community. Ralph served in the United States Navy from May 1944 to July 1950. He was a ship barber aboard the USS Newberry in the Pacific. After completing his military term, he returned to Center and continued his employment in sheep shearing and agriculture for the following 25 years. He also served a term as Commander for the American Legion Post in Center. In 1975, Ralph trained in custodial management and worked as a custodian at Colorado State University in Boulder. In 1980, he moved to Fruita where he retired after 15 years as a custodian for City Market.
Ralph enjoyed many years as a husband to Millie Vigil, and father to his six children, Steve, Larry, Deborah, Dennis, Pat, and Florine. Fishing, camping, dancing, music, and helping others were his pastimes. When his children were young, he often took them and a load of their friends to the Hooper swimming pool, camping and fishing. He was a natural musician with an excellent voice. He played guitar, accordion, piano, and harmonica.
Ralph’s large family will always remember the gifts of his love. Each one felt like they were the most important to him. He is survived by a sister Nadine (Sepe) Pacheco of Center; sons Steve, Larry (Lorraine), Pat (Janet) of Fruita, Dennis (Lizz) of Madison, MS; and daughter Deborah (Gene) Trujillo of Erie CO. His grandchildren numbered 63: 28 grandchildren, 32 great grandchildren, and 3 great-great grandchildren.
Ralph Andy Archuleta was preceded in death by his youngest daughter Florine Garcia, grand-daughters Lisa Trujillo and Constance Archuleta, grandson Dave Burvant, his parents Rafael and Victoriana Archuleta, and birth parents Toribio and Celia Trujillo and seven birth sisters and brothers. As a long-time member of Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Fruita, family will schedule a Christian Mass and burial at Veteran’s Memorial Cemetery at a later date. Ralph’s family wishes to extend a heartfelt thank you for the many prayers that are carrying them through this journey.
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